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Title:	Winter Time
Authors:	Fearnley, Laurence
Genre:	Fiction: New Zealand
Pages:	295
Year:	2022
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Language:	English
Description:	Following the death of his younger brother Eddie, Roland March returns to their family home in the heart of the Mackenzie country to act as the executor of Eddie's will. Befitting the sorrow of the occasion, it is cold, cold, cold and for Roland fresh from his 'wholefood and health store life' in Sydney, it's as if nothing has changed. Once again there is plenty that needs explaining and once again he is at odds with the people around him. Wonderfully evocative and only to be read when rugged up, this is an intriguing story with a setting worthy of its superbly-drawn characters.
Categories:	Fiction NZ, Mystery, Relationships, 2024 Titles

Reviews

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By: DUNED 001		2025-07-08 13:02:30

Excellent descriptions of the weather and the cold, but we found the storyline very disjointed.

By: CHCH 194		2025-06-28 15:31:25

One of our least favourite books. The plot was weak, the characters unappealing and the ending disappointing. The winter descriptions worked hard to justify the title and aim of the author to focus on one of the senses, but it wasn't sufficient to carry the plot.

By: NELS 044		2025-04-28 14:04:05

Generally an unfavourable opinion of this book, although the atmosphere and descriptions of the winter landscapes were beautifully written. The characters did not ring true for several of our group.

By: QUEEN 006		2025-04-10 09:43:52

We found that the book had very good descriptive passages of the winter environment, and as many of us know the area well we enjoyed the MacKenzie Valley setting. However there were too many unsolved or characterisation plot lines that didn't go anywhere.

By: HAMIL 029		2025-04-08 17:00:11

It was a great pleasure to read the descriptions of the landscape and the harsh winter in the McKenzie country. There was some division of opinion about the character of Roland and some would have liked a more plot-driven narrative. I think we all appreciated Fearnley's sense of humour, especially in the depiction of the character of Mrs Linden, and the brilliant description of life in an uninsulated house in mid-winter. Recommended reading.

By: CHCH 267		2025-02-24 13:28:58

Those who read it liked the character build ups and the familiar setting. Good descriptions.

By: AUCK 069		2024-12-11 12:44:48

The group liked the style of writing but felt the characters were a bit cliched and the plot a bit lacking.

By: PICT 005		2024-10-12 12:18:44

We all agreed the descriptions of the landscape were vivid. Most characters were clearly drawn. Some aspects of the plot seemed contrived.

By: WAIKA 010		2024-10-09 13:09:49

Loved it! Beautiful descriptive writing. Could have been in the MacKenzie whilst reading it.

By: ROTO 014		2024-07-31 13:31:46

The group all enjoyed the descriptive writing - the snowy landscape and winter cold of the McKenzie basin; but did not warm to Roland as a character.

By: AUCK 256		2024-04-09 10:42:41

This book is full of memories of growing up - the family, friendships or lack of, belonging or not belonging (being gay), suspicions, mysteries and weird neighbours all set within the vividly described landscape of the McKenzie Country. It was a well written book but not enjoyed by all.